• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Bake Offs
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Nav Widget Area

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
The Pancake Princess

The Pancake Princess

A baking blog curating internet recipes.

You're here: Home > Pancake Princess

Top Five Posts of 2012

by erika 26 Comments

Dear all you Pancake Princess readers:

Thank you for coming and reading my blog. Whether you are a routine commenter or quite reader, I really appreciate that you’ve chosen to spend your time browsing my site and recipes. I hope 2012 was great for you–I know that it flew by in a flash for me: I graduated from college, got a job, went to Wisconsin, melted my first plastic bowl (by accident) in the oven, ramped up this blog, and made/consumed more pancakes than I ever have in my life.

But just because we’re looking forward to a new year doesn’t mean we have to forget the past–2013 seems like an excellent time to revisit some recipes from 2012. Who am I kidding–pancakes are good any time!

So here are my top five most-viewed posts of 2012. And here’s to a great 2013 for you and yours.

1) Pumpkin Pie-stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes: Sometimes I dream about these cupcakes–incredibly moist chocolate cake filled with a dollop of creamy pumpkin pie and topped with rich chocolate ganache and caramel cream cheese frosting. A fair choice for the top-viewed post around these places.

Pumpkin Pie-Filled Chocolate Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting and Chocolate Ganache

2) Lemon Bar Pancakes: a total indulgence of lemony pancakes, lemon curd, and Momofuku-esque shortbread crumbles. This was a flavor combination that even surprised me–I’m usually all about chocolate, but I loved these tart, lemony delights.

Lemon Bar Pancakes

3) Vegan Quinoa-Quinoa Cornbread: This recipe got a huge boost from readers over at VeganSpotting. The first time I spotted this Bryant Terry recipe, I knew I had to try it. It’s grainy, hearty, filling and quite healthy. Maybe not your classic cornbread, but if you like graininess and you like quinoa, this is a must-make.

Vegan Quinoa-Quinoa Cornbread + how to make quinoa flour!

4) Pumpkin Muffins: This was my second post to be accepted to TasteSpotting and I was SUPER excited. These were my best-ever low-fat quick bread recipe–a great pumpkin muffin that doesn’t taste low fat at all!

Pumpkin Muffins

5) Vegan Sandies: Thanks to these coconut oil and vegan butter-filled (non)butterballs, I got my first recipe featured on Yummly! I’d always wondered how bloggers got that “Certified Yummly” badge–now I know. And am really excited to make these crumbly, sugary babies again next year.

Vegan Sandies

And so thank you, you awesome group of readers, for making those posts my top five.

I also wanted to bring several other recipes to your attention, just in case you missed them. The top five recipes you chose were a cupcake, pancakes, cornbread, muffins, and a holiday cookie. Here are five of the more underrated recipes, in my opinion, in each category:

1) Banana Marzipan Layer Cake: This is BY FAR the healthiest layer cake I’ve ever made. The cake layers are stuffed with ripe banana and whole wheat flour and just a bit of oil for tenderness. The marzipan layer–a mixture of ground almonds and egg white that can be made at home–and toasted almonds add protein and delicious grainy and crunchy texture. Tied together with almost pure chocolate “ganache”? YUM. Plus I got to guest post this on the lovely Bailey of Bailey Bakes‘ blog (you should definitely check her out! One of my favorite sites!)

DSC_2084

2) Whole Wheat Pear & Chocolate Pancakes: Although I love each of my pancake recipes like a child, these hold a special place in my stomach. These pancakes are packed with fiber from whole wheat flour and loaded down with large pear chunks and chocolate chips, but they’re still totally fluffy and light. This is one of the first pancake recipes I’d recommend to a new (or old) reader!

Whole Wheat Pear and Chocolate Pancakes

3) Best Cakey Cornbread: My all-time favorite classic cornbread. It has a great tight crumb and is a sweeter cornbread, but not overly so. I can eat this by the pan-ful, practically.

Best Cakey Cornbread

4) Cinnamon Swirl Brioche: So there’s an actual muffin I want to put here, but I haven’t actually posted it yet. In lieu of that fantabulous recipe that I’ve been keeping from you (sorry), I just want to share this and tell you to make it. Like, right now. Bread counts as dinner. Also, I’m in love with Canella Vita, the blog of a girl baking her way through high school. Don’t you love that tagline? (Oh yeah, she was the one who first made this bread.)

Cinnamon Swirl Brioche

5) Vegan Jam Thumbprints: These are my most re-made cookies that I’ve posted so far, and I think they totally deserve it. These little gems get their fat from coconut oil rather than butter, use oat flour instead of regular flour, and use chia seeds instead of eggs. And the dough can be made in approximately one minute in a food processor. You will want to make these year-round, not just for the holidays–promise.

Vegan Jam Thumbprint Cookies

P.S. Special shout out to my top five commenters, according to wordpress–Choc Chip Uru, Judy @ Petit4Chocolatier, Leah @ Inspire & Indulge, Eva @ Healthy Glow Nutrition, and Nancy @ GottaGetBaked. I am so lucky to have stumbled into such a warm, welcoming and inspiring community of people who are all so very creative and talented. I feel especially lucky to have gathered so many lovely comments from these five very talented ladies. And all you other lovely commenters–you’re fantastic too!

Go out. Be real. Live healthy. Eat pancakes. Conquer 2013.

FacebookTweetPin9

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. elisebakes

    January 10, 2013 at 8:22 am

    What lovely posts! Erika, I absolutely love your blog and have thoroughly enjoyed each post – everything looks beyond amazing! I’ve nominated you for the Reality Blog Award 🙂 http://elisebakes.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/reality-blog-award/http://elisebakes.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/reality-blog-award/

    Reply
    • erika

      January 10, 2013 at 8:47 am

      Elise, you are so sweet! I highly enjoy your blog as well. Thank you so much! 🙂

      Reply
  2. gottagetbaked

    January 7, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    How did I miss this kick ass wrap-up post? Every single recipe you listed here looks amazeballs. I should spend a weekend making every single thing and just stuff my face until I fall into a blissful sugar coma. And thanks for the shout out. I think me being one of your top commenters just means that I have a big mouth and I’m cyber stalking you. Here’s to another wickedly delicious year, Erika!

    Reply
    • erika

      January 7, 2013 at 3:01 pm

      LOL Nancy: you are my favorite. Re: the weekend of sugar coma–that is how I feel about all your cakes! Nomnomm. That would be so much (diabetic-inducing) fun!!

      If that means cyber stalking, then bring it on 🙂 I’m excited to see what you’ll bring to the table this year! (More layer cakes, please!)

      Reply
  3. petit4chocolatier

    January 4, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    Your blog and tasty treats are incredible! I wish you a very happy and healthy new year 🙂

    Reply
    • erika

      January 7, 2013 at 3:00 pm

      Thank you Judy! You too!!

      Reply
  4. Bam's Kitchen

    January 3, 2013 at 11:15 pm

    Congratulations on meeting all of your goals this last year. You have been a very busy girl and I am super happy that you have been Congratulation on meeting all of your goals for 2012 and making and consuming more pancakes than should be humanly possible. I love visiting your little space and reading about all of your delicious recipes. Take care, BAM

    Reply
    • erika

      January 7, 2013 at 2:59 pm

      Thank you so much Bam! Hahaha I will continue to consume more pancakes than humanly possible and I look forward to reading more delectable recipes from you!

      Reply
  5. myhealthyohana

    January 3, 2013 at 12:21 am

    Oh, those lemon bar pancakes!!! I can’t wait to make those…that and the roasted pear pancakes 🙂 Your pics just make everything look SO good!

    Reply
    • erika

      January 3, 2013 at 9:03 am

      Thank you Maura! You are so sweet 🙂 And same to you, there are so many recipes on your site I want to make!

      Reply
  6. Skinny Muffin (@SkinnyMuffins)

    January 2, 2013 at 9:27 pm

    Seriously. I thought I was the queen of pancakes until I met (met? found? Is that creepy..?) you. Lemon bar pancakes? YUM. I used to make pancakes every Sunday and I think I may have been reinspired to pick that up again. We should be neighbors. We would make epic breakfasts together.

    Reply
    • erika

      January 3, 2013 at 9:02 am

      Dear Kaylie: um not creepy AT ALL. More like I am super happy you found me! I will definitely be using your blog to help keep me on a healthy track this year, yay 🙂 Can we please be neighbors? Epic breakfasts sound AMAZING. And then we can go on runs together and I can die while you…run really fast 🙂

      Reply
  7. jmcvl

    January 2, 2013 at 2:27 pm

    Awww amazing post.. Happy New Year – here’s to another year of baking filled delights xxx

    Reply
    • erika

      January 3, 2013 at 8:55 am

      Yes please! Happy New Year, hope you had a fabulous holiday season!

      Reply
  8. Cookie Dough Katzen

    January 2, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    Oh yum! I’ll take the pumpkin pie stuffed chocolate cupcakes in bulk please! 😉 Happy New Year!

    Reply
    • erika

      January 3, 2013 at 8:55 am

      Done deal. As long as you don’t mind mush arriving at your door instead of cupcakes…don’t think they’d travel well 🙁

      Happy New Year to you too! I’m excited to keep on following your blog and getting inspiration to stay on track with being healthy! (I think my New Years resolution is to go a week without eating added refined sugar to my diet. We’ll see how that goes.) Because really, you are such an inspiration with your healthy diet and ability to eat in moderation! Ha. Something I lack!

      Reply
  9. Leah

    January 2, 2013 at 10:20 am

    Yay, I loved reliving your blogging escapades of 2012! I’m so excited for what you’ll share in 2013. You are such an inspiration! Happy new year. 🙂

    Reply
    • erika

      January 3, 2013 at 8:52 am

      Aw thanks Leah! I’m about to go read about your post about 2012 and am super excited! So glad I got to know you and your blog this past year–I am super lucky to find a huge source of awesome craft/food ideas and a sweet friend!

      Reply
      • Leah

        January 3, 2013 at 12:08 pm

        I feel the exact same way about you! Cheers 🙂

  10. The Healthy Flavor

    January 1, 2013 at 10:51 pm

    Ann those cupcakes again!! Yummy! Everything looks so yummy again! Especially that brioche! Happy new year Erika!

    Reply
    • erika

      January 2, 2013 at 12:08 am

      Ugh, that brioche would be the death of me if I made it as often as I crave it! SO yum, and absolutely no nutritional value! Ah well…maybe after January 🙂 Happy New Year to you too!!

      Reply
  11. cookingactress

    January 1, 2013 at 8:13 pm

    My goal for 2013–be on your list of top 5 commenters!! 😛

    Reply
    • erika

      January 2, 2013 at 12:09 am

      Kayle, you are such an A+ commenter, I don’t know how you didn’t make the list!! Computer glitch perhaps? 😉 You are awesome!

      Reply
      • cookingactress

        January 2, 2013 at 9:43 am

        I just didn’t find you early enough last year, this year will be better 😉

      • deliciouslynell

        January 4, 2013 at 6:24 pm

        Wow, all of these dishes look so amazing! And your photography is top notch! 😀

      • erika

        January 4, 2013 at 7:38 pm

        Thanks so much! You’re too sweet 🙂

Primary Sidebar

Baking recipe curator and tester.

I’m here to give you confidence that you are finding the recipe that’s right for you.

I test recipes side-by-side and use a data-driven approach to analyze and rank the “best” recipes and put it all together for you.

Get to know me.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Subscribe to get the latest

Popular Now:

Gingerbread Coffee Cake
Best Gingerbread Cookie Bake Off
Campfire Crunch Cookies
nine slices pecan pie Best Pecan Pie Bake Off
Best Parker House Roll Bake Off // The Pancake Princess Best Parker House Roll Bake Off
Sara Cornelius’ Pureed Zucchini Bread
Best Coffee Cake Bake Off // The Pancake Princess Best Coffee Cake Bake Off
Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes // The Pancake Princess Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes

Instagram

New year, new profile pic surrounded by cookies ✨

For those of you who like to plan, here’s a very tentative guide to what I’m envisioning for this year’s bake offs (if the world doesn’t blow up). Thank you, as always, for your constant enthusiasm and support for the bake offs! 💕💕💕 

🍪Jan: lemon poppy muffins, Levain choc/pb cookies?
🍪 Feb: cream cheese kolaches, loft house copycat cookies, flourless chocolate cake?
🍪 March: carrot cake
🍪 April: liege waffles??
🍪 May: tres leches
🍪 June: key lime pie 
🍪 July: tiramisu
🍪 August: oatmeal cookies
🍪 Sept: doughnuts 
🍪 Oct: shortbread?
🍪 Nov: Mac n cheese 
🍪 Dec: ginger molasses or chocolate crinkle cookies

Photo credit: @juliejulez.jpg 👹💕
{HOUSTON GIVEAWAY} Hi friends! If you’ve been f {HOUSTON GIVEAWAY}

Hi friends! If you’ve been following me for a little bit, hopefully you know how obsessed I am with @happyearthcompost and their mission to make composting more accessible and easy for the Houston community! Here is just a sneak peek of all the eggshells and lemon peels from the lemon poppy seed muffin bake off that are going straight into my Happy Earth compost bucket instead of the trash 🎊

I’m thrilled to be partnering with @happyearthcompost to do a giveaway for one lucky winner! Here are the deets:

🌱 you will win 2 free months of monthly pick ups from @happyearthcompost! You’ll get a little counter top bin (pictured here) and a larger bucket to keep outside (in the second pic)
🌱 must be located in Houston or Bryan/College Station to win
🌱 to enter, just make sure you’re following me and @happyearthcompost and tag a friend in the comments! Each comment is a separate entry
🌱 giveaway will close this Saturday (1/16) at midnight! GOOD LUCK!!!
Thankful for another year of bake offs with you gu Thankful for another year of bake offs with you guys! Loving the appreciation for the coffee cake, blueberry muffin, pecan pie, gingerbread and Levain cookie bake offs (more Levain to come in 2021 hopefully!) 🎊💕

While on vacation, I’ve scraped a lot of recipes for future bake offs (thanks to your help) and I feel refreshed and ready to get back to baking ASAP! On the list for 2021 bake offs: carrot cake, oatmeal cookies, copycat lofthouse cookies, Levain chocolate pb cookies, shortbread, lemon poppyseed muffins, etc. Let me know if there’s anything else you’re dying to see in the comments!

THANK YOU for all of your support, your kind comments, your reviewing of different recipes and your spreading of joy through baked goods this past year. Thanks to my tasters for their critical tasting and hilarious comments. Can’t wait to do it all over again next year 💕
Gingerbread bake off is up! Commence all the ginge Gingerbread bake off is up! Commence all the gingerbread baking!! 🎄🎄🎄

Tap the pic to see all participating recipes and tell me which one looks the best or which recipes you’re most excited to try!! You really can’t go wrong with any of them 🎊🎊🎊 and if you’re planning on baking any other holiday cookies this weekend, gimme the deets on what you’re making! I need more inspo for my cookie boxes 🍪🍪🍪 #pancakeprincessbakeoff
According to Google, interest in apple cider dough According to Google, interest in apple cider doughnuts has waned by now but I’m not exaggerating when I say these doughnuts might be one of the best things I’ve made all year #sponsored

Pictured here are a few recipes I tried to satisfy a craving: @smittenkitchen, @tasty, and a few of @sallysbakeblog’s baked apple cider doughnuts as mini muffins. Sally’s were good but clearly in a different league than the fried doughnuts. I liked the denseness, tang and substantial exterior crunch of @tasty’s doughnuts that came from the sour cream, but once I got the hang of frying @smittenkitchen’s doughnuts, they edged @tasty out as my winner—ethereally light, they just melt in your mouth. Plus, Smitten’s method for rolling out the doughnuts is MUCH MUCH easier. 

I used @whitelily flour in all recipes and loved the way the fine texture led to feather-light doughnuts! If you’re looking for an application for low-protein flour, I can’t recommend these doughnuts enough. They’re worth getting over your fear of deep frying for 😜 #whitelilyflour
@THEPANCAKEPRINCESS

Footer

Back to Top
Bake Offs
Recipes
Travel
About
Work With Me

Subscribe to get the latest:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent Posts

  • Gingerbread Coffee Cake
  • Best Gingerbread Cookie Bake Off
  • Campfire Crunch Cookies
  • Best Pecan Pie Bake Off
  • Best Parker House Roll Bake Off

Privacy Policy and Terms of Service · © Pancake Princess · Site by Meyne